LETTER: Sex Trafficking: Tip Of Iceberg

August 03, 2013

Two front-page articles in the July 30 Courant demanded my attention. One was "Sex Trafficking: FBI Sweep Saves Five." The other was about the hiring of relatives of government officials in lieu of hiring urban young people ["Senator Slams State's Hiring"].

The report about trafficking is much more serious as to the consequences and erosion of the souls of the victims.

But we can't ignore the other.

State Sen. John Fonfara's suggestion about a lottery, similar to New York's, seems sensible. Let the old adage "It's all in who you know" no longer be the practice.

I am not so naive as to believe that we can change all sectors of society that rely on this notion. However, we step in the right direction.

Sex trafficking is an issue that has been heavy on my heart. Contrary to people's views, it's not something only occurring in other nations. Sadly, these young girls and sometimes boys will need intensive follow-up care to regain a semblance of self and dignity.